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Froese: Living the life you love as an aging farmer

What do you really want in the next phase of your life?

As the calendar winds down 2021, and the snow comes, it strikes us that another season is approaching. Farming gives us many clear signs that things don’t stay the same. This summer I met Nell Smith, age 80, the author of Retire to the Life You Love, practical tools for designing your meaningful future. It’s […] Read more

Ed and Barb have focused their lives and finances on the farm. They have only $50,000 in their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). Most of the retirement income is going to have to come from Ernie when he takes over the farm.

Manitoba grain farmers find a way forward

Legacy is preserved and provisions made for non-farming children

In southern Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Ed and Barb, both 64, farm 900 acres of grain with some beef cattle. They have a son Ernie who is 40 years old. He farms and wants to take over Ed and Barb’s spread when they retire. A daughter, 38, who is married to another farmer, could […] Read more


In this farm couple's case, there are two alternative strategies to cut taxes.

A couple looks for a low-tax route to turn their farm into retirement income

With no kids who want to take on the farm, a low-tax exit strategy is needed

A couple we’ll call Chuck, 68, and Liz, 66, farm 1,000 acres in south-central Manitoba. Their all-grain operation is profitable, but they want out. Their children, two middle-aged daughters, are not interested in farming. That leaves the sale of the farm as the best and only way for the couple to quit the business and […] Read more

A couple works out a farm transition plan for three children

A couple works out a farm transition plan for three children

Farm Financial Planner: The plan includes financial security for all, including a son with a disability

A couple we’ll call Max, 86, and Lily, 81, have farmed 480 acres in western Manitoba for the last 60 years. Their eldest son, who we’ll call Sam, now 60, retired from a city job with a solid pension. Sam now farms with his parents. He is the registered co-owner of the home 320 acres […] Read more


Intend to pass on your farm? There’s still time to plan and avoid large taxes

Intend to pass on your farm? There’s still time to plan and avoid large taxes

A farmer discovers a huge tax liability as he plans to transfer the farm to his nephew

In central Manitoba, a man we’ll call Harry, 81, has retired from a former life actively farming what was four quarters of grain. As Harry’s end of life comes into view, he wants to ensure that his sole heir, a nephew we’ll call Sam, does not wind up with a farm reduced or impoverished by […] Read more

How to pass on and preserve the family farm and generate retirement income

How to pass on and preserve the family farm and generate retirement income

A couple puts an equitable plan in place for their children, only one of whom will continue to farm

A couple we’ll call Harry, 53, and Martha, 50, farm 5,500 acres in Manitoba’s Interlake region. They have three children ages 19, 20 and 24. Only the eldest, who we’ll call Bruce, is interested in taking over the farm one day. The other two see their destinies in what could be called town jobs. The […] Read more


Retirement income and inheritances

Retirement income and inheritances

How to create a retirement plan and leave a legacy for your children

In central Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Jack, 57, and Susie, 54, have found themselves in a crisis. The couple left active farming and now rent their land to a neighbour. Sixteen years ago, Jack got a city job and sold 480 acres of the farm, half its original 960 acres, to pay debts and […] Read more

The couple’s largest capital asset will be their personally owned farmland.

Farm Financial Planner: Retirement income and inheritances

How to create a retirement plan and leave a legacy for your children

In central Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Jack, 57, and Susie, 54, have found themselves in a crisis. The couple left active farming and now rent their land to a neighbour. Sixteen years ago, Jack got a city job and sold 480 acres of the farm, half its original 960 acres, to pay debts and […] Read more


Farm Financial Planner: Estate planning with an out-of-date will

Farm Financial Planner: Estate planning with an out-of-date will

Passing the farm to the next generation when Dad’s will doesn’t mention the kids

A woman named Ruth, 65, and her late husband Max, who recently passed away at 66, farmed 1,600 acres in Manitoba’s Interlake region for the last four decades. Ruth continues their mixed farming operation with 800 acres of grain and the remainder in pasture and hay for what was, before they sold them, a small […] Read more

Farm Financial Planner: Farm transfer could lead to “hobby farm” status

Farm Financial Planner: Farm transfer could lead to “hobby farm” status

Passing on an unprofitable farm can raise tax challenges for the next generation

A couple we’ll call George and Mary have farmed in south-central Manitoba for the last 35 years on a third-generation family farm. Each is 60 years old. Their dilemma is generational transfer. Their issue is the fundamental low level of profitability that could, if not handled properly, cause the farm owner to lose their ability to […] Read more